Decorative bell - South Korea - ritual bell

Korean hand bell with sound balls, brass, late 19th / early 20th century

Handcrafted Korean brass bell, consisting of a slender rod with a ring loop at the top and a bifurcated lower portion from which several small bells hang freely. When swung, it produces a clear, bright, and lively sound.

Such bells were traditionally used in Korea within ritual contexts, particularly in the Muism shamanistic milieu as well as in Buddhist ceremonies, where sound served for purification, focus, and inviting the spiritual. At the same time, comparable pieces were also used as ceremonial or signaling bells.

Origin: Korea
Dating: ca. 1880–1930
Material: Brass / Bronze
Dimensions: 22 × 9 × 2 cm
Marking: punched "Korea"
Condition: good, age-related signs of use.
Special feature: clear, good sound.